Last week, REACH received the exciting news that we had been selected as one of 6 domestic violence and sexual assault (DV/SA) programs in the state to participate in their new initiative, “Game Change: The Patriots Anti-Violence Partnership.” Earlier this fall, 98 schools were selected from across the state to go through the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) institute this year (phase one of the program). Run by the Center for Sport in Society at Northeastern University, MVP uses a sports-themed curriculum and employs collegiate athletes and former professional athletes as trainers. During phase one, staff from each selected DV/SA organization will participate in the regional MVP trainings in their area alongside participants from selected schools. The AG’s Office will then select 30 high schools to receive more in-depth training for school staff, students, parents and administrators for phase two of the program, to begin in the fall. During phase two, the DV/SA provider in each region will help train school staff and parents and will work with school administrators on policies and services for students and families dealing with violence. Students from each of those schools will also be trained to become peer leaders who can teach younger students about healthy relationships and bystander intervention.

REACH’s Director of Prevention Programs Jessica Teperow said, “We are thrilled to be recognized by the Attorney General’s Office for the work we do with school communities, and look forward to partnering with them in this ongoing and growing work.”